Fluid pressure operated oscillatory buffing head



Aug. 6, 1963 e. A. CARLSON FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED OSCILLATORY BUFFINGHEAD Filed June 1'7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 6, 1963 G. A. CARLSON 3,099,902

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED OSCILLATORY BUFFING HEAD Filed June 17, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 2 TIE-.E.

l3 2.. J: "I ..-.M 29 1: Pin-n 28 y wr@@].:l l iii? INVENTOR.

610V 9. C/Mus M 1963 G. A. CARLSON 3,099,902

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED OSCILLATORY BUFFING HEAD Filed June 17, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. W H. Cflfi /V BY w 34999302 FLUE PRESSUREOPERATED GSCEJLATGRY BUFFING EEAD Glen A. Qarlson, 1359 Country ClubDrive, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Filed lune 17, 196i), Ser. No. 36,963Claims. (Cl. 51-33) The present invention relates to improvements in apolishing 'or bufiing mach ne of the oscillatory head type, i.e., inwhich a boiling wheel, suitably driven for rotation at a high speed, ismounted for oscillatory movement about a given axis, which movement iscontrolled as to the stroke and and rate of operation thereof by fluidpressure means.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide an oscillatory bufiingmachine of this type, in which the axis of oscillation is preferablythat of an appropriate motor drivingly connected with a spindle or shaftupon which the buffing wheel is carried for rotation. Thus, the motormay be given an appropriately rugged and fixed mount, as on a floorpedestal or the like, and the oscillating action of the boiling head andwheel be performed without effect on the motor and such mount.

Another object is to provide an oscillatory buffing machine asdescribed, in which the oscillation of the head and wheel is producedunder fluid pressure actuated means, preferably a suitable pneumaticcylinder operatively connected with the head to efiect timed oscillationthereof under the control of appropriate valving by which fluid pressureis applied to and exhausted from the cylinder.

Another object is to provide a pneumatic pressure operated machine ofthis type, with which appropriate hydraulic check provisions areassociated for the purpose of controlling the limits of the oscillatorystroke, its speed, and the like.

More specifically, in accordance with the foregoing object, the improvedmachine is provided with hydraulic check devices, which may beindividually of well-known type, on either side of its axis ofoscillation, or on either side of the axis of the drive motor for theequipment, in the embodiment thereof illustrated herein. Thus, under thecontrol of such hydraulic devices acting in the general manner ofdashpots, the speed of swing of the bufing head and wheel, underactuation of a pneumatic pressure cylinder as described above, may becontrolled in a cushioned, anti-shock mmner.

The foregoing as well as other objects will become more apparent as thisdescription proceeds, especially when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the improved machine of theinvention, a bufing wheel thereof being indicated in dotted line;

PEG. 2 is a "fragmentary view of the machine in side elevation, showingits basic pneumatic actuating and hydraulic check control devices asoperatively connected to the buffing head of the machine; and

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical cross section along a line corresponding tobroken line 33 of FIG. 2.

The machine of the present invention is one adapted to be associatedwith appropriate provisions (not shown) for supporting a workpiece ofone sort or another rotatively or for linear motion, or for anycombination of motions by which the oscillatory stroke of a rotarybuffing wheel of the machine may best perform the polishing or buffingof the workpiece. 'I he oscillatory stroke is of assistance in enablingthe usual buffing discs of the bulfing wheel to enter into all recessesor re-entrant areas of the workpiece, in a manner not as wellaccomplished by a bulfing wheel lacking an oscillatory or 3, 9,90-2Fatented Aug. 6, 1963 equivalent stroke. Although not particularlylimited in respect to the length of the stroke or the speed at which itis performed, it is contemplated that such stroke may be in length up toor in excess of one foot, and its rapidity may be as desired, althoughin most instances a relatively slow travel of the buffing wheel discsacross the workpiece surface will be desired. These factors of strokeand speed are readily controllable by regulation of the pneumaticpressure under which the buifing head is caused to oscillate, and thehydraulic checking pressure which determines its stroke limits.

In accordance with the invention, the buffing head of the invention,generally designated by the reference numeral 10, is sustained by aheavy and massive pedestal base 11, although provisions for mounting theequipment from above may also be employed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedestal 11 is one which inclinesupwardly and rearwardly from its floor support, then extends verticallyupwardly in the dorm of a rigid bracket 12. This bracket has a forwardflat surface 13 of substantial height and width, to which is bolted orotherwise secured a rear mounting plate 14 for a suitably rated drivemotor 15 for the head 10, the motor 15 constituting a part of the head10, considered gener ally. It is desirable that the motor mounting plate14 be mounted upon bracket 12, as by an adjustable swivel connection at14' (FIG. 2) which will permit some degree of adjustment, for example upto 15 in either direction, about a horizontal axis, and thus permitmotor 15 and various other fluid pressure means carried thereby to beadjusted and locked in a fixed position at an angle to the horizontal.

In accordance with the invention, the pedestal 11 may also support,either directly or by means of a welded or other connection to the motormounting plate 14, a suitable side bracket, generally designated 16, forthe fluid pressure actuated or governed controls of the presentinvention. As herein illustrated, the bracket provision 16 may comprisea suitable rigid channel bracket 18, to the rear of which a pair ofdepending bracket yoke arms 19 are rigidly welded or otherwise securedin parallel relation to one another.

The upper and lower portions of the channel bracket 18 serve as supportsfor a pair of upper and lower hydraulic check units, generallydesignated 20, 21, respectively. These are conventional dashpot typedevices operating through suitable adjustable valve provisions to governthe rate of stroke of plungers or pistons (not shown) therein; and it isunder the control of the hydraulic check devices 20, 21 that the speedof swing of the oscillatory head 10 is determined, and its strokelimited.

The bracket provisions 16 further comprise an angled upright bracketmember 23 received within the top and bottom flanges of the channelbracket 18 and projecting forwardly out of [the latter. The anglebracket 23 serves in part as a support for a special swinging mountingplate 25, this plate 25 being bolted or otherwise secured rigidly to anoscillatory or swinging housing 26 of the oscillatory bufling head unit10. The swinging plate 25, as bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to thehousing 26 to swing the latter and swing therewith, is provided with aradially projecting crank bracket 28 adjacent the top thereof, in theform of a generally triangular plate having a clevis 29 pivotallyconnected thereto by a pin 30. The clevis 29 is carried on a plunger rod32 of the upper hydraulic check unit 20; and the rod 32 may also bethreaded to receive an adjustable stop collar 31 to limit the movementof the rod into the cylinder 20.

Appropriate hydraulic valve control provisions, such as are illustratedin FIG. 2 and designated 33, are associated with the valve unit 20, asat 34, so that as the plunger rod moves outwardly of the unit 20,hydraulic fluid will be restrictedly bled from the unit to control thespeed of this movement, and accordingly the oscillatory downwardmovement of the bufiing head 10 as a whole about the pilot axis of theunit, which is the axis of the shaft of motor 15, as piloted in housing26.

The angle bracket 23 rigidly supports forwardly thereof a fixed mountingplate 34 *of forwardly projecting tri angular outline, the plate 34being suitably secured to a side of the angle bracket 23 by bolts 3'5 orthe like. The swinging plate 25 is piloted, for its swing in a verticalplane, Within the inner side of the mounting plate 34 and coaxially ofthe shaft of motor 15, in a boss 36 of plate 34.

For the purpose of mounting the hydraulic check unit 20 for itsnecessary swing in the action of its plunger rod 32, the cylinder 37' ofthis unit carries a transverse trunnion 38 at its forward end, and ispivotally mounted by this pin between upright bracket ears 39 fixedlysupported upon the upper flange 40 of the channel bracket 18.

The lower hydraulic check unit 21 is similarly mounted upon the lowerflange 41 of bracket channel 18, wherefore corresponding parts will beemployed to designate corresponding mounting provisions, it being notedthat the bracket ears 39 in this case are mounted to depend from thechannel 23. Otherwise, the action is the same, i.e., when the plungerrod of hydraulic unit 21 moves outwardly upon clockwise swing of thehead 10 in the upward direction there will be a metered bleeding flow ofhydraulic fluid out of the unit 21 to limit the speed of such upwardswing of unit 10. Hydraulic devices of this sort are conventional andwell known, and readily available commercially, so that further detaileddescription thereof is deemed unnecessary and superfluous.

For the purpose of mounting the hydraulic check unit 21 to the swingingplate 25, the latter is formed with an integral depending extension 43having actuator plates 44, 45 rigidly secured thereto adjacent thebottom thereof, as by bolts 46. One of the actuator plates 44 isprovided with an upward extension nose at 47, to which the connectingclevis 48 of the plunger rod of hydraulic unit 21 is pivotally attached.

The plates 44, 45 are thus secured on opposite sides of the dependingextension 43 of swinging plate 25, and adjacent the bottom thereofreceive a transverse pin 50 upon which the connector block 51 of apneumatic plunger 52 is pivotally mounted.

The plunger 52 is a component of a pneumatic cylinder unit, generallydesignated 54, by which the head 10 has imparted thereto its oscillatoryworking movement. The pneumatic cylinder 54 is provided with airpressure connecting lines 55, 56, leading respectively to its forwardand rearward ends; and under the control of suitable control valve means(not shown) of an entirely conventional nature, the plunger 52' iscaused to move forwardly or outwardly of the cylinder 54 uponapplication of pneumatic pressure to the rear of the latter, i.e.,through connection 56, air being voided forwardly of the cylinderthrough the connection 55.

This produces the desired upward and clockwise motion 'of the mountingplate 25, housing 26 and remaining parts of the buifing head unit 10, ascontrolled by the hydraulic dashpot checking action at the hydraulicunit 21. Reverse, counterclockwise and downward swing of the unit isunder the weight of its pants, as controlled in timing by the hydrauliccheck unit 20 at the top.

In order to support the pneumatic actuating cylinder 54 for itsnecessary swing in the actions referred to above, the same is providedwith a fixed gimbal ring 58 encircling the same midway of its axiallength; and this ring is equipped with diametrically opposed, outwardlyprojecting trunnions 59 (FIG. 3), which are pivotally received inbearing sleeves 60 applied to the depending bracket arms 19 adjacent thelower ends thereof, the cylinder 54 thus swinging freely in a verticalplane between 4 the arms 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the trunnion bearingsleeves 60 are releasably secured on the respective bracket arms 19, asby screws 60, to enable the ready assembly of the cylinder 54 betweenthe arms. It will be noted that the overall axial dimension across thetrunnions 59 exceeds the inside space of arms 19.

The bulfering wheel of the machine is generally designated W, beingshown in dotted line in FIG. 1, since it is entirely conventional incharacter. It is carried on a shaft 62 paralleling and outwardly of theshaft of motor 15, being appropriately journaled in a housing extension63 The wheel shaft 62 is connected by belts (not shown) within thehousing extension 63, connected to suitable multi-sheave pulleys (notshown) on the Wheel shaft 62 and shaft of motor 15, in an entirelyconventional manner. Likewise, the housing extension 63 is adapted forlongitudinal adjustment within the housing 26, in order to maintain belttension, being suitably clamped rigidly to the latter in an adjustedposition, as by means of bolts or studs 64. Any suitable provisions maybe made to mechanically hold parts or limit motions thereof relative toone another. Thus, an adjustable set or limit screw 66 may be providedon the belt housing extension 63 to engage the mounting plate 25 andrigidly hold the housing in desired position. Likewise, the housing 26may be provided with a limit screw 67 on the top and/or bottom thereofto engage a fixed bracket part and thereby mechanically limit the swingof the head 10 as a whole.

It is seen that the invention provides an improved fluid pressureactuated and controlled bufling machine, in which a continuedoscillatory stroke of the buffing head 10 and its bufiing wheel W may behad in a desired speed of oscillation, as well as length of stroke,through the agency of an improved one way pneumatic actuator cylinderunit '54, operated under the control of appropriate pneumatic valving(not shown); with the limits of this stroke determined and controlled inan anti-shock way by the hydraulic check units 20, 21, respectively.

The parts are simple, rugged and reliable in character, and the limitingadjustments are readily and easily made by unskilled persons throughappropriate manipulation of the respective pneumatic and hydrauliccontrol Valve means referred to above.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An oscillatory polishing or bufling head, comprising a rotaryoperating tool, :a fixed support, a drive motor operatively connected tosaid tool to drive the same, means mounting said tool to oscillaterelative to said support about an axis spaced transversely of said tool,said means extending radially of said axis and said bufling tool beingmounted adjacent an outward end thereof for rotation, said mountingmeans comprising an actuator member pivotally mounted coaxially of saidaxis of oscillation and connected to said tool for pivotal movement ofthe latter therewith about said axis, a fluid pressure unit operativelyconnected to said member to swing the same in one direction of saidoscillation, a fluid pressure check unit operatively connected to saidmember in transversely oflset relation to the axis thereof on one sideof said axis to oppose said motion of the member, and a further fluidpressure check unit operatively connected to said member in transverselyoffset relation to said axis of the member on the opposite side of thelast named axis, said further unit opposing oscillatory motion of saidmember and tool in the reverse oscillatory direction.

2. An oscillatory polishing or bufling head, comprising a rotaryoperating tool, a fixed support, a drive motor operatively connected tosaid tool to drive the same, means mounting said tool to oscillaterelative to said support about an :axis spaced transversely of saidtool, said means extending radially of said axis and said buffing toolbeing mounted adjacent an outward end thereof for rotation, saidmounting means comprising an actuator member pivotally mounted coaxiallyof said axis of oscillation and connected to said tool for pivotalmovement of the latter therewith about said axis, a fluid pressure unitoperatively connected to said member to swing the same in one directionof said oscillation, a valve-controlled hydraulic check unit operativelyconnected to said. member in transversely ofiset relation to the axisthereof on one side of said axis to oppose said motion of the member;and a further valve-controlled hydraulic check unit operativelyconnected to said member in transversely offset relation to said axis ofthe member on the opposite side of the last named axis, said furtherunit opposing oscillatory motion of said member and tool in the reverseoscillatory direction.

3. An oscillatory polishing or buffing head, comprising a rotaryoperating tool, a fixed support, a drive motor fixedly carried by saidsupport and operatively connected to said tool to drive the same, meansmounting said tool to oscillate relative to said support about ahorizontal axis spaced transversely of said tool and coaxial with thatof said motor, said means extending radially of said axis and saidbuffing tool being mounted adjacent an outward end thereof for rotation,said mounting means comprising an actuator member pivotally mountedcoaxially of said axis of oscillation and connected to said tool forpivotal movement of the latter therewith about said axis, avalve-controlled pneumatic unit operatively connected to said member toswing the same upwardly in one direction of said oscillation, ahydraulic check unit operatively connected to said member intransversely offset relation to the axis of the latter to oppose saidupward swing, and a further hydraulic check unit operatively connectedto said member in diametrically opposed relation across said axis to theconnection of said first named hydraulic unit, to said member, saidfurther hydraulic check unit opposing oscillatory motion of said memberand tool in the reverse, downward oscillatory direction.

4. The combination with a rotary bufiing tool having means mounting thesame for oscillatory movement about an axis paralleling and spaced fromthe rotary axis of the tool, of means operatively engaging said mountingmeans to control said oscillatory movement, comprising a pneumaticcylinder and plunger device acting on said mounting means to produce onedirectional component of said oscillatory movement, and a pair ofhydraulic cylinder and plunger devices operatively connected to saidmounting means on opposite sides of said oscillatory axis, one in amanner to oppose said one component of movement and the other in amanner to oppose an opposite component.

5. The combination with a rotary bufiing tool having means mounting thesame for oscillatory movement about an axis paralleling and spaced fromthe axis of the tool, said movement being in a direction transverse of aplane through said axes and including a gravity produced directionalcomponent, of means operatively engaging said mounting means to controlsaid oscillatory movement, comprising a pneumatic cylinder and plungerdevice acting on said mounting means to produce a non-gravity produceddirectional component of said oscillatory movement, and a pair ofhydraulic cylinder and plunger devices operatively connected to saidmounting means on opposite sides of said oscillatory axis, one in amanner to oppose said gravity produced component of movement and theother in a manner to oppose the non-gravity produced component.

Robinson Nov. 11, 1941 Dreher July 25, 1944

1. AN OSCILLATORY POLISHING OR BUFFING HEAD, COMPRISING A ROTARYOPERATING TOOL, A FIXED SUPPORT, A DRIVE MOTOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOSAID TOOL TO DRIVE THE SAME, MEANS MOUNTING SAID TOOL TO OSCILLATERELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID TOOL,SAID MEANS EXTENDING RADIALLY OF SAID AXIS AND SAID BUFFING TOOL BEINGMOUNTED ADJACENT AN OUTWARD END THEREOF FOR ROTATION, SAID MOUNTINGMEANS COMPRISING AN ACTUATOR MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED COAXIALLY OF SAIDAXIS OF OSCILLATION AND CONNECTED TO SAID TOOL FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OFTHE LATTER THEREWITH ABOUT SAID AXIS, A FLUID PRESSURE UNIT OPERATIVELYCONNECTED TO SAID MEMBER TO SWING THE SAME IN ONE DIRECTION OF SAIDOSCILLATION, A FLUID PRESSURE CHECK UNIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDMEMBER IN TRANSVERSELY OFFSET RELATION TO THE AXIS THEREOF ON ONE SIDEOF SAID AXIS TO OPPOSE SAID MOTION OF THE MEMBER, AND A FURTHER FLUIDPRESSURE CHECK UNIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MEMBER IN TRANSVERSELYOFFSET RELATION TO SAID AXIS OF THE MEMBER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THELAST NAMED AXIS, SAID FURTHER UNIT OPPOSING OSCILLATORY MOTION OF SAIDMEMBER AND TOOL IN THE REVERSE OSCILLATORY DIRECTION.